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The 19th Events

Revolutionary: Our Declaration of Belonging

June 2, 2026
Presented by

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, The 19th invites you to join us in Philadelphia — the birthplace of American democracy — for an evening of conversation on the stories that have been told about this country, and the ones that have been left out.

Through Revolutionary, we are examining the nation’s founding, its unfulfilled promises and the people who have pushed the country closer to its ideals. In a moment of national reflection, this gathering brings together leading storytellers and artists to reckon with how the past continues to shape our understanding of democracy, belonging and power.

Whose story gets told? 

  • Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The New York Times
  • Dawn Porter, director and founder of Trilogy Films
  • Erika L. Sánchez, Poet, novelist, essayist 
  • Moderated by Errin Haines, editor-at-large for The 19th

Equality under the law

  • Janai Nelson, Director-counsel of NAACP Legal Defense Fund
  • Yasmin Cader, Deputy executive director for program, strategy and culture at the ACLU
  • Moderated by Julia B. Chan, editor-at-large for The 19th

Following the conversation, guests are invited to stay for a reception, offering space to explore the museum’s exhibit on the Declaration of Independence while connecting with fellow attendees and members of The 19th community.

  • When: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
  • Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
  • Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET 

Speakers

A headshot of Yasmin Cader.
Yasmin Cader
Deputy executive director for program, strategy and culture at the ACLU
A headshot of Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the New York Times
A headshot of Janai Nelson.
Janai Nelson
Director-Counsel, NAACP LDF
A headshot of Erika L. Sánchez.
Erika L. Sánchez
NYT bestselling author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
A headshot of Dawn Porter.
Dawn Porter
Director and founder of Trilogy Films
A headshot of Errin Haines.
Errin Haines
Editor-at-large, The 19th
A headshot of Julia B. Chan.
Julia B. Chan
Editor-in-chief, The 19th

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